JP2002018184A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine under what condition a detergent feeding device is. SOLUTION: This washing machine has a permeability sensor 7 which detects the permeability of the washing liquid in a washing basket, a current detecting circuit 63 which detects the current value flowing to a motor for feeding a detergent in the detergent feeding device and a latch switch 37 for detecting the opening/closing state of a detergent feeding valve for opening and closing a detergent outlet. A controller 60 decides the condition of the detergent feeding device in accordance with the results of the detection by the detecting means of at least two thereof. More specifically, when, for example, the current detecting circuit 63 detects the current value larger than a set vale and the permeability sensor 7 detects the penneability higher than the set value (when the feeding amount of the detergent is small), the controller decides the occurrence of the solidified state of the detergent in a detergent storage section and reports the same.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine provided with a detergent feeding device for automatically feeding a detergent stored in a detergent storage section into a washing tub.

[0002]

Conventionally, a washing machine provided with a detergent feeding device has been provided. This detergent dosing device is configured to store a plurality of washings of detergent in a detergent storage part, and to automatically supply a required amount of the detergent into a washing tub.

[0003] However, conventionally, it is left to the user to determine the occurrence of a detergent mass in the detergent storage section and the amount of stored detergent. For this reason, the user often does not know whether the detergent is in the detergent storage unit or the amount of the stored detergent is small. For this reason, the amount of detergent introduced by the detergent introduction device becomes smaller than the required amount, and good cleaning performance may not be obtained.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of determining the state of a detergent dispenser.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a water supply means for supplying water to a washing tub and a detergent stored in a detergent storage section are automatically fed into the washing tub. A washing machine provided with a detergent dosing device that controls the detergent dosing operation of the detergent dosing device by a control means, wherein the detergent dosing device detects the permeability of the washing liquid in the washing tub; and the detergent dosing device. Motor current detecting means for detecting a current flowing through a detergent input motor driven at the time of the detergent input operation, and valve opening / closing detecting means for detecting an open / close state of a valve body for opening / closing a detergent outlet in the detergent input device. At least two detection means are provided, and the control means determines a state of the detergent dosing device based on a detection result of the at least two detection means.

According to this, the control means determines the condition of the detergent dosing device based on the detection results of at least two of the transmittance detecting means, the motor current detecting means, and the valve opening / closing detecting means. I do. In this case, the situation of the detergent feeding device can be determined more accurately than when the determination is made based on the detection result of only one detecting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the motor current detecting means detects a current value larger than the set value and the transmittance detecting means detects a transmittance higher than the set value, Further, it is characterized in that it is determined that a detergent state has occurred in the detergent storage section and this is reported. According to this notification, the user can be informed that the detergent state has occurred in the detergent storage section.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the motor current detecting means detects a current value smaller than the set value and the transmittance detecting means detects a transmittance higher than the set value, It is characterized in that it is determined that the amount of stored detergent in the detergent storage unit has become small, and this is reported. According to this notification, the user can know that the storage amount of the detergent in the detergent storage unit has decreased.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means detects the degree of transmission even though the valve opening / closing detecting means detects the open state of the valve body during the detergent charging operation and drives the detergent charging motor. When the means detects a transmittance higher than the set value, it is determined that the amount of the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit is small, or that a lump state of the detergent is generated in the detergent storage unit, and this is notified. It is characterized by the following. According to this notification, the user can know whether the amount of the stored detergent in the detergent storage unit is small or whether the detergent is in a lump state in the detergent storage unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the control means, the valve opening / closing detecting means detects the open state of the valve element at the time of the detergent inputting operation, and drives the detergent inputting motor so that the motor current detecting means sets the motor current detection value to a value higher than the set value. In a state where a small current value is detected, if the transmittance detection unit detects a transmittance higher than the set value, it is determined that the amount of the stored detergent in the detergent storage unit has decreased, and this is reported. And According to this notification, the user can know that the storage amount of the detergent in the detergent storage unit has decreased.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means causes the valve motor for opening the valve body to open.
When the valve opening / closing detecting means does not detect the open state of the valve body, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the valve body portion and the abnormality is reported. According to this notification, the user can be informed that some abnormality has occurred in the valve body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the valve opening / closing detecting means detects the open state of the valve element, the control means does not open the valve motor for opening the valve element. It is characterized in that it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the valve body portion and this is reported. According to this notification, the user can be informed that some abnormality has occurred in the valve body.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 2 shows the appearance of a washing machine with a detergent introduction device. In FIG. 2, a top cover 2 is attached to an upper portion of an outer box 1 of the washing machine. A water tub 3 is provided inside the outer case 1 via an elastic suspension mechanism (not shown), and a washing tub 4 for storing laundry is provided inside the water tub 3. The washing tub 4 also serves as a dehydrating tub, and a stirrer (not shown) is provided at an inner bottom thereof. A washing machine motor (not shown) is provided at the outer bottom of the water tub 3. The washing machine motor rotates the stirring body forward and reverse to wash the laundry, and rotates the stirring body and the washing tub 4 at high speed. Dehydration is performed by causing the dehydration.

At the drain 5 at the bottom of the water tank 3, there is provided a transmittance sensor 7 which is located upstream of the drain valve 6 and constitutes a transmittance detecting means. As shown in FIG. 1, the transmittance sensor 7 includes a light emitting element 7a and a light receiving element 7b.
Are provided so as to face each other to detect the permeability of the washing liquid in the water tub 3 and thus the washing liquid in the washing tub 4.
A drain hose 8 is connected to the drain port 5.

At a substantially central portion of the top cover 2, there is formed a laundry door 9 facing the inside of the washing tub 4, and a two-fold type lid 10 for opening and closing the laundry door 9 is provided. ing. An operation panel 11 for performing operations related to the operation of the washing machine is provided at a front portion of the top cover 2, and a back cover 12 is provided at a rear portion. Various switches 11a are provided on the operation panel 11.
And a display unit 11b. Further, on the back of the outer box 1, both legs 13a of a stand 13 on which a clothes dryer (not shown) can be installed are attached to the upper part.

The back cover 12 is provided with a detergent feeding device 15. This detergent input device 15
Is, as shown in detail in FIG.
It has a hopper 17 which constitutes a detergent storage part having a capacity to accommodate a plurality of powdered detergents. A detergent agitator 18 having a large number of projections is rotatably supported on the lower part of the inside of the hopper 17 so as to be rotatable on the horizontal axis. Further, a detergent delivery body 19 is provided at a lowermost portion in the hopper 17 below the hopper 17.

The detergent delivery body 19 is composed of a coil, in particular, a coil whose diameter gradually increases from the base end portion on the left side in the drawing to the middle portion, and is straight from the middle portion to the tip portion on the right side in the drawing. One of the projections of the detergent agitator 18 is engaged with an intermediate portion of the projection. Therefore, when the detergent delivery body 19 is rotated, the detergent agitator 18 is also rotated accordingly.
The projections that are engaged with are rotated sequentially.

A detergent outlet 20 is formed at the lower right end of the hopper 17, and the tip of the detergent delivery body 19 is located inside the detergent outlet 20. The detergent outlet 20 is normally closed by a detergent input valve 21 which is a valve body for opening and closing the detergent outlet. A bearing 22 is provided at the lower left end of the hopper 17, and a shaft 23 integrated with the base end of the detergent delivery body 19 is located inside the bearing 22. A driven gear 24 is attached to the left side opposite to the detergent delivery body 19 side.

As shown in FIG. 4, the driven gear 24 is meshed with a driving gear 26 which is rotated by a detergent feeding motor 25 composed of a geared motor. Accordingly, when the drive gear 26 is rotated by the detergent feeding motor 25, the rotation is transmitted to the detergent delivery body 19 via the driven gear 24 and the shaft 23, and is rotated, so that the detergent delivery body 19 is rotated.
With the rotation of, the detergent in the hopper 17 is sent to the detergent outlet 20 side.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the detergent input valve 21 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27, and is urged in a direction to close the detergent outlet 20 by a spring (not shown). A valve motor 28 for opening the detergent input valve 21 is a geared motor, and is disposed on the top cover 2 at a position below and behind the hopper 17. As shown in FIG. 6, the valve motor 28 opens the detergent injection valve 21 via a wire 29 and a rotating body 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rotating body 30 is formed by connecting one ends of two opposing levers 31 and 32 with a shaft 33, and is turned to the top cover 2 via the shaft 33. It is movably mounted. Two levers 3
One end of the wire 29 is hooked on the end of one of the levers 31, 32. Therefore, FIG.
In 6 and 7, when the wire 29 is wound in the direction of the arrow A1 by the valve motor 28, the two levers 31, 32 of the rotating body 30 are rotated about the shaft 33 in the direction of the arrow A2. Detergent input valve 2 by the tip of lever 32
1 is pressed to the left, and the detergent input valve 21 is
Is rotated in the direction of arrow A3 to open the detergent outlet 20.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a cam 34 to which the other end of a wire 29 is connected, an electromagnetic solenoid 35, and a shaft 36a are rotatable inside the valve motor 28. Lever 36 and a latch switch 3 which constitutes a valve open / close detecting means for detecting the open / close state of the detergent injection valve 21.
7 and the like are provided. The cam 34 has a V-shaped groove 34a on the outer periphery and is held at a position shown in FIG. The latch switch 37 has a fixed contact 37a and a movable contact 37b having a V-shaped portion 39. In the state shown in FIG. 8, the V-shaped portion 39 of the movable contact 37b contacts the outer periphery of the cam 34, the movable contact 37b contacts the fixed contact 37a, and the latch switch 37 is in the ON state.

When the electromagnetic solenoid 35 is turned off,
When the cam 34 is separated from the drive shaft 28b of the valve motor 28 and the electromagnetic solenoid 35 is energized,
As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the lever 36 is attracted and rotated by the electromagnetic solenoid 35, whereby the drive shaft 28b is engaged with the cam 34 by the lever 36, and the cam 34 is rotated by the rotation of the drive shaft 28b. This cam 3
4, the wire 29 is wound up. When the groove 34a corresponds to the V-shaped portion 39 of the latch switch 37 as shown in FIG. 10 with the rotation of the cam 34, the V-shaped portion 39 fits into the groove 34a to move the movable contact 37b. Is separated from the fixed contact 37a, and the latch switch 37 is turned off.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a water supply pump 40, a water supply valve 41, and a water injection case 42 as water supply means for supplying water into the washing tub 4 are arranged below the back cover 12. Has been established.

The water supply pump 40 is provided with a motor 44 and an impeller 45 that is driven to rotate by the motor 44 inside a pump case 43. A water suction port 46 that absorbs water by the rotation of the impeller 45, A water outlet 47 for discharging the absorbed water, and the water inlet 46 is exposed upward from the back cover 12.

The water supply valve 41 has one water inlet 48 in the upper part and first and second two water outlets 49 and 50 in the front part. 49, and from the water inlet 48 to the second water outlet 50.
A three-way valve that switches the opening of the flow path to the drive port by the driving force of a drive source such as a solenoid or a motor is provided.
Are exposed upward from the back cover 12.

The water supply case 42 is for injecting the water supplied by the water supply pump 40 and the water supply valve 41 into the washing tub 4 and only a part thereof is shown in FIG. A water channel through which the spout 47 communicates, and the water supply valve 41
Of the first water outlet 49 and the second water outlet 5
0 has a water channel, and the water flowing through the water channel through the first water outlet 49 of the water supply valve 41 is indicated by an arrow B in FIG.

The bottom of the concave portion 51 of the back cover 12 and the water injection case 42 are provided with detergent openings 52 and 53 located below the detergent outlet 20 of the detergent introduction device 15. In addition, water flows through a water channel through which the first water outlet 49 of the water supply valve 41 communicates.

In addition, in addition to the water channel through which the water discharge port 47 of the water supply pump 40 communicates and the water channel with which the second water outlet 50 of the water supply valve 41 communicates, the outlet is provided with the first water outlet 49 of the water supply valve 41. It is the same as the open channel, and faces the washing tub 4.

Further, a drawer 54 is attached to the common outlet of the waterways so that the drawer 54 can be moved in and out.
The drawer 54 has, in particular, the second water outlet 5 of the water supply valve 41.
For the water channel through which 0 is connected, a storage portion for storing a laundry auxiliary agent, for example, a soft finish, is provided, and the stored soft finish is poured out by the water flowing through the water channel, for example, by a siphon method. I have. A lid 55 for opening and closing the opening on the upper surface of the hopper 17 is provided in the detergent introduction device 15.
Is provided.

On the other hand, FIG. 1 shows an electrical configuration of a portion related to the gist of the present invention. In this FIG.
The control device 60 constituting the control means controls the overall operation of the washing machine, includes a microcomputer, and is disposed behind the operation panel 11. The light emitting element 7a of the transmittance sensor 7 is constituted by a light emitting diode, and the light receiving element 7b is constituted by a phototransistor. The anode terminal of the light emitting element 7a and the light receiving element 7b
Are connected to a DC power supply, respectively. The light emitting element 7a is controlled by the control device 60. Further, the control device 60 receives a signal corresponding to the light receiving state of the light receiving element 7a and determines the transmittance based on the signal.

Motor coil 25 of detergent input motor 25
a is connected to one bus 61a of the AC power supply 61, and the other end is connected to the AC power supply 6 via a triac 62 and a current detection circuit 63 constituting motor current detection means.
1 is connected to the other bus 61b. A photo triac 6 is provided between a common connection point between the motor coil 25a and the triac 62 and a gate terminal of the triac 62.
4 are connected. The light emitting diode 66 forming the phototriac 64 and the photocoupler 65 has an anode terminal connected to a DC power supply, and a cathode terminal connected to the collector terminal of the transistor 68 via a resistor 67. The base terminal of the transistor 68 is connected to the control device 60
, And the transistor 68 is controlled by the controller 60.

In this case, when the transistor 68 is turned on by the control device 60, the light emitting diode 66 emits light and the phototriac 64 is turned on. As a result, the triac 62 is turned on and the detergent charging motor 25 is driven. It has become. At this time, the current flowing through the detergent injection motor 25 is detected by the current detection circuit 63, and the detection signal is output to the control device 60.

One end of a motor coil 28a of the valve motor 28 is connected to one bus 61a of an AC power supply 61 via a latch switch 37, and the other end is connected to a triac 6
9 is connected to the other bus 61b of the AC power supply 61. A series circuit of a diode 70 having the illustrated polarity and a solenoid coil 35a of the electromagnetic solenoid 35 is connected in parallel to a series circuit of the motor coil 28a and the latch switch 37. A capacitor 71 is connected in parallel with the solenoid coil 35a. A photo triac 72 is connected between one end of the triac 69 and a gate terminal. The light emitting diode 74 forming the phototriac 72 and the photocoupler 73 has an anode terminal connected to a DC power supply, and a cathode terminal connected to the collector terminal of the transistor 76 via a resistor 75.
The base terminal of the transistor 76 is connected to the control device 60, and the transistor 76 is controlled by the control device 60.

In this case, when the transistor 76 is turned on by the control device 60, the light emitting diode 74 emits light and the phototriac 72 is turned on, and accordingly the triac 69 is turned on and the motor coil 28 of the valve motor 28 is turned on.
a is energized, and the electromagnetic solenoid 35 is energized.

The latch switch 37 and the valve motor 2
8 is connected to one end of the motor coil 28a, a cathode terminal of a diode 77 having a polarity shown is connected, and a series circuit of a resistor 78 and a resistor 79 is connected between an anode terminal of the diode 77 and a DC power supply. ing. A capacitor 80 is connected in parallel with the resistor 79, and the resistor 79 and the capacitor 8
The common connection point of 0 is connected to the terminal 81 of the control device 60.

When the latch switch 37 is turned on, the detergent supply valve 21 is closed. In this state, the voltage of the DC power supply is applied to the terminal 81 of the control device 60 by the resistors 78 and 79. A divided voltage signal is input, and a low signal lower than 5V is input. When the detergent input valve 21 is opened by the rotation of the cam 34, the V-shaped portion 39 of the latch switch 37 is fitted into the groove 34a of the cam 34, and the movable contact 37b is moved to the fixed contact 3
7a, the latch switch 37 is turned off. Then, a voltage signal of 5 V which is the voltage of the DC power supply is input to the input terminal 81 of the control device 60, and a high signal is input as the signal. Therefore, the control device 60 can detect the state of the latch switch 37 and, consequently, the state of the detergent injection valve 21 based on the voltage signal of the terminal 81.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
A description will be given according to a flowchart showing the control contents of the second control device 60. First of all, before using the washing machine,
The first water inlet 48 and a water tap (not shown) are connected by a water supply hose (also not shown). When washing with the remaining hot water (bath water) in the bath, one end of a water absorption hose (not shown) is connected to the water suction port 46 of the water supply pump 40,
The other end of the water-absorbing hose is immersed in bath water of a bathtub (not shown). Further, detergent (powder) for a plurality of times of washing is put into the hopper 17 of the detergent dispenser 15, and the lid 55 is closed.

In this state, laundry (not shown) is put into the washing tub 4, the lid 10 is closed, and the operation of the washing machine is started. In this case, it is assumed that a standard course in which tap water is supplied to the washing tub 4 through the water supply valve 41 is selected. The control device 60 first sets the flags F1 and F2 to 0.
(Step S1). Next, the stirrer in the washing tub 4 is rotated, and the amount of laundry is measured by a method such as detecting the rotation speed of the stirrer drive motor at this time by a rotation sensor (not shown) (step S2), and the measurement result is obtained. From
The necessary amount of water is set together with the amount of detergent to be set (step S3).

Next, it is determined from the voltage signal at the terminal 81 whether the detergent injection valve 21 is closed (step S).
4). At this time, if the latch switch 37 is on, the voltage signal at the terminal 81 is low and it is determined that the detergent input valve 21 is closed. If the voltage signal at the terminal 81 is high, the latch switch 37 is high. Is off, and it is determined that the detergent introduction valve 21 is open. Here, detergent input valve 2
If it is determined that 1 is closed, the process proceeds to step S5 according to "YES", and the flow path from the water inlet 48 of the water supply valve 41 to the first water outlet 49 is opened. Thus, water supply into the washing tub 4 is started through the water channel of the water injection case 42 through which the first water outlet 49 communicates. When it is determined that the detergent introduction valve 21 is open, “N
In accordance with "O", the process proceeds to step S6, where an abnormality notification is displayed on the display unit 11b of the operation panel 11, assuming that the detergent input valve 21 has an abnormality. The display in this case is
An instruction to check the detergent input valve 21 is given. After this,
Move to step S5.

Next, the detergent input valve 21 is opened (step S7). To open the detergent injection valve 21, the transistor 76 is turned on. Then, the light emitting diode 74 emits light and the photo triac 72 is turned on. Accordingly, the triac 69 is turned on to energize the motor coil 28a of the valve motor 28 and energize the solenoid coil 35a of the electromagnetic solenoid 35. . The drive shaft 28b is rotated when the motor coil 28a is energized, and the drive shaft 28b is connected to the cam 34 via the lever 36 when the solenoid coil 35a is energized. Is rotated. The wire 29 is taken up by the rotation of the cam 34, and the detergent input valve 21 is rotated in the opening direction via the rotating body 30.

When the groove 34a corresponds to the V-shaped portion 39 of the latch switch 37 with the rotation of the cam 34, the V-shaped portion 39 fits into the groove 34a, and the movable contact 37b is moved from the fixed contact 37a. As a result, the latch switch 37 is turned off. When the latch switch 37 is turned off, the motor coil 28a is turned off and the cam 34 is turned off.
Is stopped, but since the solenoid coil 35a remains energized and the drive shaft 28b and the cam 34 are connected, the cam 34 does not rotate in the reverse direction, and the detergent injection valve 21 is held at the open position. When the latch switch 37 is turned off, the voltage signal at the terminal 81 becomes high.

Next, it is determined whether or not the detergent injection valve 21 has been opened (step S8). At this time, if the voltage signal at the terminal 81 is high, it is determined that the detergent input valve 21 has been opened. If the voltage signal at the terminal 81 is low, the detergent input valve 21 is determined.
Is not open. If it is determined that the detergent injection valve 21 has been opened, step S is performed in accordance with “YES”.
The flag F1 is set to 1 here. If it is determined that the detergent injection valve 21 is not open, “NO”
Then, the process proceeds to step S10, where an abnormality notification is displayed on the display unit 11b of the operation panel 11, assuming that there is an abnormality in the detergent input valve 21 portion. The display in this case also gives an instruction to check the detergent input valve 21 portion. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, the detergent input motor 2
Turn 5 on. To turn on the detergent input motor 25, the transistor 68 is turned on. Then, the light emitting diode 66 emits light and the photo triac 74 is turned on. With this, the triac 62 is turned on and the motor coil 25a of the detergent input motor 25 is energized, whereby the detergent input motor 25 is driven. When the detergent feeding motor 25 is driven, the detergent delivery body 19 is rotated via the drive gear 26, the driven gear 24, and the shaft 23, and the detergent in the hopper 17 is released with the rotation of the detergent delivery body 19. From the detergent outlet 20 in the state, it is automatically sent out as shown by an arrow C in FIG.

The discharged detergent then passes through the detergent passages 52 and 53 located below the detergent outlet 20, and further falls into the channel of the water injection case 42 thereunder, and flows through the channel as described above. It is dissolved in water and injected into the washing tub 4 from the outlet of the water injection case 42 together with the water. At this time, in the hopper 17, the detergent agitating body 18 is rotated with the rotation of the detergent delivery body 19, so that the detergent in the hopper 17 is loosened.

Here, the motor current value flowing through the detergent introduction motor 25 when the detergent is introduced is usually the one shown in FIG.
As shown by the solid line, the current becomes about 600 mA in the initial stage of driving, but becomes lower thereafter. However, if the detergent is solidified in the hopper 17, the detergent delivery body 19 is hard to rotate, and the motor current value hardly decreases as shown by the dotted line. Therefore, after a predetermined time, in this case, one second, from the start of driving of the detergent injection motor 25, the motor current value flowing through the detergent injection motor 25 is detected by the current detection circuit 63 (step S12). Then, the detected motor current value and a preset set value, for example, 400
mA, and determines whether the detected motor current value is smaller than a set value (step S13).

If it is determined that the detected motor current value is smaller than the set value, it is determined that the detergent is not agglomerated, and the process proceeds to step S14 in accordance with "YES". In this case, it is determined that a detergent mass has occurred, and the process proceeds to step S15 in accordance with "NO". Here, the flag F2 is set to 1, and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the supply of the detergent is continued until a set time t1 corresponding to the amount of the detergent set based on the measurement result of the laundry amount is elapsed. As a result, an amount of detergent corresponding to the amount of laundry is supplied into the washing tub 4.

When the set time t1 has elapsed, the detergent feeding motor 25 is turned off (step S16). Thereby, the supply of the detergent is stopped. To turn off the detergent input motor 25, the transistor 68 is turned off. Then, the light emitting diode 66 is turned off, the phototriac 64 is turned off, and accordingly, the triac 62 is turned off and the detergent feeding motor 25 is turned off.

Next, the detergent input valve 21 is closed (step S17). In order to perform the closing operation of the detergent injection valve 21, the transistor 76 is turned off. Then, the light emitting diode 74 is turned off and the phototriac 72 is turned off, and accordingly, the triac 69 is turned off and the solenoid coil 35a is turned off. Accordingly, the connection between the drive shaft 28b of the valve motor 28 and the cam 34 is released,
The cam 34 returns to the state shown in FIG. 8 by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 38, and the wire 29 is pulled out, and the detergent input valve 21
Is rotated to the closed position. Thereby, the detergent outlet 20 is closed by the detergent input valve 21. Further, the latch switch 37 is turned on with the rotation of the cam 34, and the terminal 8
1 voltage signal goes low.

Next, it is determined whether or not the detergent injection valve 21 has been closed (step S18). At this time, if the voltage signal at the terminal 81 is low, it is determined that the detergent input valve 21 is closed, and if the voltage signal at the terminal 81 is high, the detergent input valve 21 is determined.
Is not closed. If it is determined that the detergent introduction valve 21 has been closed, the process proceeds to step S in accordance with “YES”.
Move to 19. If it is determined that the detergent input valve 21 is not closed, the process proceeds to step S20 according to "NO", and the abnormality is notified to the display unit 11b of the operation panel 11 assuming that the detergent input valve 21 is abnormal. Is displayed. The display in this case also gives an instruction to check the detergent input valve 21 portion. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, the water supply is continued until the water level in the washing tub 4 reaches the set water level. The set water level at that time is set based on the measurement result of the laundry amount, and the water level is detected by a water level sensor (not shown). Washing tub 4
When the water level inside reaches the set water level, the water supply valve 41 is closed,
Water supply to the washing tub 4 is stopped (step S21). Thus, the amount of water according to the amount of laundry is supplied. Next, washing is started (step S2).
2). This washing is performed by rotating the stirrer forward and reverse by the washing machine motor.

Here, the permeability of the washing liquid in the washing tub 4 and, consequently, the washing liquid in the water tub 3 usually changes as shown by the solid line in FIG. That is, after about 0.5 minutes from the start of washing, the permeability temporarily decreases due to the soiling of the laundry, and after about 1.5 minutes, the permeability once decreases further as the detergent melts, and thereafter, It gradually increases. However, if the amount of the detergent introduced into the washing tub 4 is smaller than the set amount, the permeability after about 1.5 minutes does not decrease so much. Then, after a predetermined time from the start of washing, in this case, 1.5 minutes later, the transmittance of the washing liquid is detected by the transmittance sensor 7 (steps S23 and S24). Then, the detected transmittance is compared with a preset set value, and it is determined whether the detected transmittance is smaller than the set value (step S25).

When it is determined that the detected transmittance is smaller than the set value, it is determined that the required amount of detergent has been introduced, and the washing process is continued according to "YES". On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected transmittance is equal to or greater than the set value, it is determined that the amount of the supplied detergent is smaller than the set amount, and the process proceeds to step S26 according to “NO”. In step S26, it is determined whether the flag F1 is 1.
When the flag F1 is 1, it is determined in step S8 that the detergent input valve 21 is open. When the flag F1 is not 1, the detergent input valve 21 is opened in step S8. This is the case where it is determined that it has not been performed.

If it is determined in step S26 that the flag F1 is 1, the process proceeds to step S2 according to "YES".
Then, it is determined whether the flag F2 is 1 or not. If the flag F2 is 1, it is determined in step S13 that the detected motor current value is equal to or greater than the set value. If the flag F2 is not 1, the process proceeds to step S13.
13 is a case where it is determined that the detected motor current value is smaller than the set value.

If it is determined in step S27 that the flag F2 is 1, the process proceeds to step S2 according to "YES".
Then, the process proceeds to step 8, where an abnormality is displayed on the display unit 11 b of the operation panel 11 assuming that there is an abnormality in the detergent dispenser 15. In this case, the display indicating that the detergent mass is occurring in the hopper 17 is performed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S29, and the washing process is stopped.

If it is determined in step S27 that the flag F2 is not 1, the process proceeds to step S30 according to "NO".
Then, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the detergent dispensing device 15, and a notification of abnormality is displayed on the display unit 11b of the operation panel 11. In this case, the display indicating that the storage amount (remaining amount) of the detergent in the hopper 17 has decreased is performed. After this,
Move to step S29.

In step S26, the flag F1
Is determined to be not 1, it is determined that the detergent input valve 21 is abnormal, and a notification of abnormality is displayed on the display unit 11b of the operation panel 11. The display in this case gives an instruction to check the detergent input valve 21 portion. After this, step S
Move to 29.

When a bath water course using bath water is selected, a water supply pump 4 is used instead of the water supply valve 41.
Water supply by 0. In this case, too, with the water supply,
The detergent is flushed and supplied into the washing tub 4.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. First, in the apparatus provided with the detergent dispensing device 15, the current flowing through the detergent sensor 7 for detecting the permeability of the washing liquid in the washing tub 4 and the detergent dispensing motor 25 driven during the detergent dispensing operation of the detergent dispensing device 15. And a latch switch 37 that responds to the opening / closing state of the detergent introduction valve 21 that opens and closes the detergent outlet 20 of the detergent introduction device 15.
Since the status of the detergent dispensing device is determined based on the detection results of at least two of these detecting means, the status of the detergent dispensing device 15 can be accurately determined.

Specifically, when the current detection circuit 63 detects a motor current value larger than the set value and the transmittance sensor 7 detects a transmittance higher than the set value, the detergent in the hopper 17 Is determined to have occurred and this is notified (see step S28). The user can be informed that the detergent is in a lump state in the hopper 17 by the notification. Therefore, by performing an operation corresponding thereto, the lump state of the detergent can be eliminated.

When the current detection circuit 63 detects a motor current value smaller than the set value and the transmittance sensor 7 detects a transmittance higher than the set value, the hopper 17
It is determined that the storage amount of the detergent in has decreased, and this is notified (see step S30). The user can know from the notification that the stored amount of the detergent in the hopper 17 has decreased.
Detergent storage can be increased.

Further, at the time of the detergent injection operation, the open state of the detergent injection valve 21 is detected based on the state of the latch switch 37, and the transmittance sensor 7 sets the set value even though the detergent injection motor 25 is driven. If a higher permeability is detected, it is determined that the amount of the stored detergent in the hopper 17 is small, or that the detergent is in a lump state in the hopper 17, and this is notified (step 2).
8, 30). The user can be notified of the hopper 17
It is possible to know whether the amount of the stored detergent in the hopper 17 has become small or whether the detergent has been solidified in the hopper 17, so that it is possible to carry out an operation corresponding to the state.

When the detergent is supplied, the latch switch 3
7, the detergent sensor 21 detects the open state of the detergent supply valve 21 based on the state, and drives the detergent supply motor 25 so that the current detection circuit 63 detects a motor current value smaller than the set value. If a transmittance higher than the set value is detected, it is determined that the storage amount of the detergent in the hopper 17 has decreased, and this is notified (see step S30). The user knows from the notification that the amount of stored detergent in the hopper 17 has decreased.

Further, when the opening state of the detergent input valve 21 is not detected even though the valve motor 25 for opening the detergent input valve 21 is opened, the detergent input valve 2 is opened.
It is determined that an abnormality has occurred in one portion and this is reported (see step S10). The user can know from the notification that some abnormality has occurred in the detergent input valve 21, so that the abnormality can be eliminated by cleaning the detergent input valve 21 or the like.

If the opening state of the detergent supply valve 21 is detected even though the valve motor 25 for opening the detergent supply valve 21 is not operated, an abnormality occurs in the detergent supply valve 21 portion. It is determined that this has been done and this is reported (see step S6). The user can know from the notification that some abnormality has occurred in the detergent input valve 21 portion.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be modified or expanded as follows. As a washing machine, instead of the vertical tub 4,
A drum type washing machine having a drum in a horizontal axis or an oblique axis may be used.

[0067]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the state of the detergent dispensing apparatus is determined based on the detection results of at least two of the permeability detecting means, the motor current detecting means, and the valve opening / closing detecting means. Is determined, the situation of the detergent feeding device can be determined more accurately.

According to the washing machine of the second aspect, by the notification,
The user can know that a detergent mass has occurred in the detergent reservoir. According to the washing machine of the third aspect, the user can be informed that the stored amount of the detergent in the detergent storage portion has decreased by the notification. Claim 4
According to the above washing machine, the user can be informed by the notification whether the amount of the stored detergent in the detergent storage section is small or whether the detergent is in a lump state in the detergent storage section. According to the washing machine of the fifth aspect, the user can be informed by the notification that the stored amount of the detergent in the detergent storage section has decreased. According to the washing machine of the sixth and seventh aspects, the user can know from the notification that some abnormality has occurred in the valve body portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an electrical configuration diagram of a main part showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view of a main part.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a main part with a back cover removed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a main part.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a main part.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rotating body.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view showing a relationship between a cam and a latch switch in the valve motor.

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view showing a relationship between a cam, an electromagnetic solenoid, and a drive shaft in the valve motor.

FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 when a latch switch is turned off.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control device;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control device, part 2

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a change in a value of a current flowing through a detergent input motor.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a change in the permeability of the washing liquid.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 3 is a water tub, 4 is a washing tub, 7 is a permeability sensor (permeability detecting means), 15 is a detergent introduction device, 17 is a hopper (detergent storage section), 19 is a detergent delivery body, 20 is a detergent outlet,
21 is a detergent input valve (valve element), 25 is a detergent input motor,
25a is a motor coil, 28 is a valve motor, 28a is a motor coil, 28b is a drive shaft, 30 is a rotating body, 35 is an electromagnetic solenoid, 35a is a solenoid coil, 37 is a latch switch (valve open / close detecting means), and 40 is water supply. A pump (water supply means), 41 is a water supply valve (water supply means), 42 is a water injection case (water supply means), 60 is a control device (control means), and 63 is a current detection circuit (motor current detection means).

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A washing machine, comprising: a water supply means for supplying water to a washing tub; and a detergent introduction device for automatically introducing a detergent stored in a detergent storage section into the washing tub, and a detergent introduction operation of the detergent introduction device is controlled by a control means. A permeability detecting means for detecting a permeability of the washing liquid in the washing tub; and a motor current for detecting a current flowing in a detergent input motor driven during a detergent input operation of the detergent input device. Detecting means, and at least two detecting means for detecting an open / close state of a valve element for opening / closing a detergent outlet in the detergent dosing device, wherein the controlling means comprises at least two detecting means. A washing machine characterized in that a state of the detergent dispensing device is determined based on a detection result. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the motor current detection unit detects a current value larger than the set value, and the transmittance detection unit detects a transmittance higher than the set value. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the detergent is in a lump state, and this is notified. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the motor current detecting unit detects a current value smaller than the set value and the transmittance detecting unit detects a transmittance higher than the set value. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the amount of the stored detergent is low, and this is notified. 4. The control means, wherein the valve opening / closing detecting means detects the open state of the valve element during the detergent charging operation and drives the detergent charging motor so that the transmittance detecting means is higher than the set value. If a high permeability is detected, it is determined that the amount of the detergent stored in the detergent storage unit is small, or that a lump state of the detergent is generated in the detergent storage unit, and this is reported. The washing machine according to claim 1. 5. The control means, wherein the valve opening / closing detection means detects an open state of the valve body during the detergent injection operation, and drives the detergent injection motor so that the motor current detection means detects a current value smaller than the set value. In this state, when the transmittance detecting means detects a transmittance higher than a set value, it is determined that the amount of the detergent stored in the detergent storing unit has decreased, and this is reported. The washing machine as described. 6. When the valve opening / closing detecting means does not detect the opening state of the valve element even though the valve motor for opening the valve element is opened, the control means detects an abnormality in the valve element portion. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the occurrence has occurred, and this is notified. 7. The control means, when the valve opening / closing detecting means detects the open state of the valve body, even though the valve motor for opening the valve body is not operated to open, the valve part is provided. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that an abnormality has occurred and the abnormality is notified.